Roller bearing



Aug. 15, 1944. 5 BEST 2,355,843

- ROLLER BEARING h I Filed Jan. 21, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug.'l5, 1944. E T 2,355,843

' RRRRRRRRRRR NG Filed Jan. 21, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet? Aug. 15, 1944. F. E, BEST ROLLER BEARING 3 T w MEN: \w n m 4 xm l \w g Patented Aug. 15, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE Application January 21, 1942, Serial No. 427,631

3 Claims.

This invention relates to roller bearings and the present invention isan improvement on the roller bearing disclosed in my United States Patent No. 2,285,800.

An object ofthis invention is improve the construction and increase the efiiciency of -a bearing of the type disclosed in my hereinbefore identified'patent.

Another object is to provide a roller bearing of the type disclosed in my said prior patent comprising a plurality of generally circular race members and gear members assembled in end to end abutting relation and having interfitting tongue and groove means on their abutting end portions to lock said members against relative rotation and assure correct positioning of allof said members at all times.

- Another object is to provide efficient cap means for use on a bearing of this typefor excluding foreign substancesfrom-the bearing.

Another object isto provide an efficient-method of and means forkeepinga bearing of thetype In the drawings Figure 1 is a sectional view taken substantially on broken-line 1-! of Fig. 2; parts being broken away and other parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional viewof the same taken on broken line2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary viewpartly in section and partly in elevation of a bearing which differs from the bearing shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary viewpartly in section and partly in elevation of anotherdifferent type of roller bearing. 1

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken .on broken line 55 of Fig. 4 and on a smaller scalethan Fig.4, showing a housing ring of a bearing, the bearing parts withinsaid housing beingomitted.

Fig. 6 is afragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation of 'anothertypeof 'roller bearing constructed in accordance with :thisinvention.

Like reference numerals designate like .parts throughout the several views.

' Figs. l-and 2-show a combined radial andend thrust type roller bearing-comprising a tubular center member l0 having two inner race mem-. bers II and I2 secured-thereon. 'A spacer member i3 is provided between the two race members II and 12. Two bevel gears I4 and [5 are provided on theperipheral portion of the spacer member l3. Two other bevel ears l6 and 'l! in the form of rings are rigidly mounted on the tubular center member l0 atthe respective ends ofithe race members II and [2.

The two race members II and .IZ, the spacer member I3, and the two'bevel gears Hand 15 are all looked together against relative rotary movement on the tubular center member 10 by interfitting tongue members 8 and groovesfitprovided in the abutting end portions of said. members ll, l2, i3, i6 and I11. The tongues 8 and grooves 9 are1shown by full'lines in Fig. land by dottedlines in Fig. 2. The ends l8 or the tubularcentermember ID are expandedor turned outwardly, as shown in Fig. .1, soas to prevent endwise displacement and *rotationof the parts ll, l2, l3, I4 and I5 .as respects the tubular center member [0.

The outer portion of the bearing comprises an outer housing member l9 within which are two spaced-apart outer race members 20 and 2|, two mediallydisposed ring gear members 22 and 23 and two end ring gear members 24 and 25.

The ring gear members 22 and 23 are positioned between the inner ends of the tworace members ZlI-and 2| and theend ring gear members 24 and 25 are positioned at-the outer ends of the two race members 20 and 2|. All of the outer race'members and gear members 20 to 25 inclusiveare non-rotatively connected with each other by'interfitting tongues 35 and grooves 36, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1 and by broken lines in Fig. 2, and said members'20 to '25 areall fixedly secured withinthe housing 19 by crimping or-bending the end portions26 of the housing I9 inwardly against the outer ring gear-members 24 and 25.

.The outer surfaces of the inner race'members l Landil2and the inner surfaces of the outer race members 20 and 21 are all ofegenerally conical shape, as shown, and arespaced.apart;to.:provide two annular bearing. :chambers that are each wider at their'inner ends and :areadaptedto receive a plurality of bearing rollers 21 of generally frustro-conical shape.

The rollers 21 are positioned in pairs with the two rollers of each pair positioned in the same axial plane of the bearing. The rollers 25 are tapered to conform to the taper of the chambers in which they are disposed and are positioned with their larger ends adjacent each other. Gear members 28, which may be either integral or separable; are provided on the:larger end portions of the rollers .25 to mesh with the gears l4, I5, 22 and 23 and other gear members 29 are provided on the smaller end portions of the rollers 25 to mesh with the gears I6, I1, 24 and25.

The pitch circles of the gears 28 and 29 would coincide with the conical surfaces of the rollers 2'! if said conical surfaces were projected sufliciently beyond the ends of the rollers 21.

erably first assembled on the tubular member ID, the rollers 21 are then properly positioned on these parts, the outer ring gears and race members are then placed on the rollers and the outer housing member fitted over the entire assembly and secured in place by swedging the edges 26 inwardly. It is to be noted that the dotted lines in Fig. 1 show that the teeth of gear members 22 and 23 are beveled off so they will clear the points oflargest diameter of the rollers 2! and may be passed thereover in assembling.

The rollers 21 are preferably constructed on a special machine which rolls each roller to an extremely accurate and precise dimension so that the" conical ends 39 of two aligned rollers will always be in contact with each other and the rollers will always be in proper engagement with the races and the rib members 3|, 32 and 33 in The gears 28 have cone shaped end portions 30 andthe rollers 21 are arranged in pairs with the-two cone-shaped end portions 30 of each pair of rollers in contact with each other so that "said conical end portions3ll will roll upon each-other without sliding friction when the bearing is in use and will constitute themeans for preventing i endwise movement of the rollers in one direction. The. contact of these end surfaces is substantially full and complete rolling contact thus substantially eliminating friction from this source.

- To resist end thrust in an outward direction and to-maintain end to end contact of the. conical end portions 30 of the pairs of rollers each roller 27 is provided, intermediate its two ends, with an annular rib 3| that is herein shown'tobe positioned in engagementhwith'two annularwribs 32 and 33, provided respectively on the inner race member H or. 2 and on the outer race member- 20 or 2|; A.groove.34 is providedadjacent each annular rib 3L. 32 and 33 to accommodate the annularwrib orribs' of a part or parts that. make contacttherewith. I v 3 The circular line of .contactlofthe ribs 3|, 32 and. 33 coincides with the bearing surfaces of the rollers 21. and racemembers H, 12,20 and 2!. For thisreason the contact will be substantially complete rolling contactand will operate substantially without friction. "The annular" rib on each roller and each race member is positioned intermediate the two ends of the part on which it is formed to leave a. bearing surface on; each ide ofeach rib.. V

Two caps 31 of duplicate'construction, are provided at the ends of the bearing. Each cap 31. is in the form of a thin washer-shaped. ,plate i s ur to on ace emh anduhaying 'r l i ve fi lip mQistutemo r nni fit a iS D Q h? 1 m m er. 1 he dr w n sm cap ssh w I be shrink-fitted against an annularinclined shoule den 33 in' the adjacent ring gear 24 -o r 25, and

has its inner edge portionpositioned in relatively light frictional' Contact with the adjacent outwardly bent end portion l8 of the tubular center member ID. 'Whe'n'thus mounted the caps 31 willeffectively"exclude dust and almost all liquids an foreign substances that would geaniage the bearing: I

'When-the" gear members '28 and 29 are made integral with the rollers 21, as shown in Fig; '1,

it is-" desirable 'for's'tructural reasons to'fprovide an annular groove 39 around each roller adjacent toeach gear member. This facilitates th'e use-oftools employed incutting thegear'teeth. KID; assembling the .bearing shown in :Figs. 1 nd-.2, the-innerrace and gear members-are pref proper contact with each other.

In the operation of this roller bearing the rollers 21. carry the load, both radial and thrust, the ribs 3|, 32 and 33 andconical end surfaces 30 prevent endwise displacement of the rollers and the gear members maintain proper spacing of the rollers and proper alignment of the axes of the rollers. The parts are accurately constructed andthe bearing will operate at high speed and without lubrication. This makes the bearing suitable for use in extreme temperatures where lubrication is difficult or impossible.

In Figs. 1 and 21 have shown the bearing rollers 21 to be operatively disposedin mesh with four gear members l6, I1, 24 and 25 that are rigid with the race members.- Also I have shown theannular ribs 31 on each roller 2'! to be engaged with two annular ribs 32 and 33, on the inner and outer race members respectively. However, correct alignment and spacing of the rollers 21 can be obtained by meshing said rollers 21 with only threegears on the race members and correct end positioning of the rollers can be obtained by engagement of' the annular rib 3| of each roller with only one flange 32 or 33 on either theinner or the outer race member. .Fig. 3 shows a structure which provides only three gear members on the races and only one rib on the races forengagement by therib of eachroller.

Fig.3 shows a fragment of a bearing comprising a hollow or tubular roller 40 provided with gear members 4 I and 42, and fan, annular rib 43. The'roller40 is of substantially the same external shapeas the rollers 21 and is operativel associated with an inner race member 44 and outer race member 45. p s

The inner race member 44,; asshown in Fig. 3; is of one piece construction and has medially positioned gear means 46 meshing with the gear ll'onfth inner end portion of therollers 40, Also the'inner race member 44, shown in Fig. '3, has a rib 41 positioned to engage with the rib 43 of the roller .40 and has a gear48 meshing with the end gear 42Jof the rollerAIl. 7 7 I Suitable annular clearance 'groovesl'aareprovid'ed alongside of the ribs 43 and 41 and the outer-race'member 45 has a large annul r groove 50 to provide clearancefortherib. 43 on the roller 40 but does not have'anyjrib' emberfor cooperation with said rib 43;"

A rin tar 5! is secured to the-911 h .ehdporwise fixedly secured to the end portion of the inner race member 44.

A spacer ring 55 is provided-in the structure shown in Fig.3 and takesthe place of thering gears 22 and 23 shown in Fig. 1. The other,'or left hand, side of the bearing of Fig. 3 is a'duplicate of the right hand side therein shown.

In the bearing shown in Fig. 3 the three gears 46, 48 and maintain proper alignment and spacing of the rollers and the ribs 43 and 41 prevent endwise movement of the-rollersin one direction while the cone shaped end portion of the gear 4| on the end of each roller 46 abuts against a similarly shaped end of a corresponding gear of a mating roller, not shown, and prevents endwise movement of the roller in the opposite direction. Obviously any three gearmembers on the races that properly mesh with the two gear members on the rollers will maintain proper alignment and spacing ofthe rollers.

The rollers 40, being tubular, have enough resiliency so that they may be assembled under l some pressure thus doing away with all lostmotion in the bearing.

The operation of the bearing shown in Fig.3

is similar to the operation of thebearing shown in Figs. 1 and 2 herein described.

Figs. 4 and 5 disclose a bearing comprising rollers 51, only one of which is shown. Each roller 51 is provided with two end gears 58 and 59 and has an intermediate rib 60, andadjacent groove 6|.

The rollers 51 are positioned between inner race means 62 and outer-race means 63. The gears 58 and 59 mesh with gear members 64, 65 and 66. Fig. 4, shows the gear members 64, 65 and 66 to be in the form of three separate ring members corresponding to the ring members l6, l1, and of Fig. 1. Obviously the ring members 64 and 65 may be constructed integrally with the inner race member 62in accordance with the teachings of Fig. 3.

The outer race means 63 is provided with an annular rib 61 and an adjacent annular groove 68 for cooperation with annular ribs and grooves 6| of the rollers 51 to limit endwise movement of the rollers 51 toward the ends of the bearing. An annular groove 69 in the inner race member 62 provides clearance for the rib 60.

A cap 10 is preferably shrink-fitted against a shoulder H of the ring gear member 66. The inner annular portion I2 of the cap 10 is positioned between the gear member and a collar 13 and preferably is fitted to the member 65 closely enough to exclude solids or liquids that tend to enter from the outside. The cap 16 will flex enough to permit the escape of air from the bearing past the inner portion 12 of the cap. It is to be noted that the cap 10 is slightly resilient and can be moved outwardly a slight distance from the member 65 but the structure of the collar 13 is such that the cap member 12 can not be caused to seal against said collar.

A cylindrical shell or housing I4 is provided between the innermost end of the outer race member 63, shown in Fig. 4, and the adjacent end of the corresponding race member, not shown, on the other side of the bearing. An air inlet conduit 15 communicates with the ring 14 and is positioned to deliver air substantially tangentially thereinto. A conduit 16 of larger diameter than the conduit 15 is connected with said conduit 15. A screen 11 is provided in the conduit 16 to exclude and strain out all particles of dust and solid matter from air that is entering the bearing housing. The smallerconduit 16 serves as a nozzle to speed up the velocity of air entering the ring 14.

An outlet conduit 18 for particles of solid matter isconnected with the ring 74. The outlet conduit .18 is preferably substantially tangential to the ring 14 at its point of connection therewith andispreferably connected with the lowermost portion of .the ring 14. The outer end portion of said outlet conduit 18 is preferably bentdownwardly to form a dirt trap 19 and is provided with acap 86 which may be removed for cleaning the trapfl9.

The bearing shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is designed to operate without lubrication and its operation is similar to the operation of the bearings shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3m all respects except as regards the air circulation means.

In the-operation of the air circulation means air, preferably under some pressure, is admitted through conduit means 15. This air follows a circular course in the ring M, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 5, and passes outwardly between and around the rollers 51 to the ends of the bearing and escapes past the annular edge portion 12 of the dust guard member. This makes it possible to maintain a continuous circulation of air through the bearing for the purpose of keeping the bearing clean and for the purpose of pre- Venting liquid from entering at the ends of the bearing between the parts 12 and 65 in the event the bearing is to be operated under conditions that require it to be immersed or submerged in liquid.

Any particles of dirt or solid matter that are caught in the whirling air in the ring member 14 will be caused, by centrifugal force, to follow around the peripheral wall of said ring member and will eventually find their way into the dirt trap 18, 19 from which they may be removed.

Fig. 6 shows a fragment of another roller bearing constructed in accordance with this invention in which the ribs for preventing endwise movement of the rollers toward the outer ends of the bearing are omitted and the taper of the rollers and race members is relied on to prevent such outward displacement of the rollers.

Fig. 6 shows a bearing roller 8| having gear members 82 and 83 on the end portions thereof. The roller 8| is positioned between an inner race member 84 and an outer race member 85. The gear members 82 and 83 mesh with gear means 86, 81 and 88 on the inner and outer race members.

A dust cap 89 is provided at the outer end of the bearing shown in Fig. 6. The innermost annular portion 90 of thi cap 89 engages with an annular flange 9| of a collar 92 that is secured on an inner housing member 93. A ring member 94 is secured, preferably by press-fit or shrink-fit methods, on the collar 92. The cap 89, as shown in Fig. 6, is clamped between the outer race member and an end plate 95. A shell or housing 96 supports the outer race members 85 and outer gear members 88 and has its end portion 91 clamped or clinched over the end plate 65 thereby completing the assembly.

Only a fragment of the upper right hand side of the bearing is shown in Fig. 6, but it will be understood that the left hand side thereof is of duplicate construction.

Fig. 6 shows the gear member 82 as made integral with a shank 98 that extends through the roller 8| and is secured to the separable gear member 83. When this construction is used it rigid relative to each other and will rotate as a unit in the finished bearing.

The operation of the bearing shown in Fig. 6 is the same as the operation of the bearings shown in the preceding figures except that endwise movement of the rollers toward the outer sides of the bearing is prevented by the taper of the rollers and race members and the interfitting annular ribs on the rollers and race members are dispensed with.

I have herein disclosed certain preferred embodiments of my invention but it will be understood that changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A geared roller bearing in which the rollers are geared to the bearing housing and race means, comprising an inner cylindrical member, a number of race members and a number of gear members on said inner cylindrical member, in terfitting tongue and groove means in the abutting end portions of said race members and said gear members, means holding all of said race members and gear members in end to end abutting relation on said tubular member; an outer cylindrical member, a number of race members and a number of gear members within said outer cylindrical member, interfitting tongue and groove means in the abutting end portions of said last named race members and gear members, and means holding all of said last named race members and gear members in end to end abutting relation in said outer cylindrical member.

2. A geared roller bearing comprising a race member, two spaced apart gear members positioned in abutting relation to the respective end portions of said race member, interfitting tongue and groove means on the abutting portions of said race member and said gear members whereby correct relative alignment of the two spaced will be understood that allof these parts are apart gear members is compelled, means supporting said race member and said gear members in abutting relation, rollers positioned for rolling engagement with said race member. and two gearwheels rigid with the respective end portions of each roller and meshing with said spaced apart accurately aligned gear members whereby said rollers are maintained in accurate alignment during operation.

3. A roller bearing comprising an inner cylindrical member, a plurality of alternately positioned inner race members and gear members supported on said inner cylindrical member with a gear member positioned at each end of each race member, interfitting tongue and groove means in the abutting end portions of said inner race members and gear members holding the two gear members at opposite ends of each race member in accurate alignment, means securing all of said inner race members and gear members together in end to end abutting relation on said inner cylindrical member, an outer cylindrical member, a plurality of alternately positioned outer race members and gear members supported within said outer cylindrical member with a gear member positioned at each end of each race member, interfitting tongue and groove means in the abutting end portions of said outer race members and gear members holding the two outer gear members at opposite ends of each race member in accurate alignment with each other, means securing all of said outer race members and gear members together in end to end abutting relation, rollers operatively disposed between said inner and outer race members, and two gearwheels rigid with the respective end portions of each roller and meshing with said spaced apart accurately aligned inner and outer gear members whereby said rollers are maintained in accurate alignment.

FRANK ELLISON BEST. 

